Introduction to Spanish Visa for Nannies
Whether possible and how to apply for a Spanish visa for nannies is a question that most (if not all) Spanish families have asked at some point of their UAE expat life.
The purpose of this publication is to go over the following questions:
- Is it at all possible?
- What to prepare?
- Any recommendations?
Can we Apply for a Schengen Visa for our Nanny?
There are horror stories ranging from ‘Spanish Embassy does not give visas to nannies’ because ‘they are afraid that they will not come back’; to ‘they give to certain nationalities’ or ‘they give to only nannies sponsored for extremely long time under the family’.
Horror stories are part of any unknown and uncertain data or field discussed.
We are happy to report that nannies can generally apply for Schengen visa to accompany their families.
This publication may shed light into the right type of visa to apply for because indeed while nannies tend to meet the requirements of tourist and domestic workers’ visas, the Spanish Embassy in the UAE will expect nannies sponsored under the own family to apply as domestic workers and nannies sponsored through an agency (tadbeer, maidscc, etc) through tourist visas.
We then proceed to list the documents that a nanny visiting the country as a tourist will need to prepare then we will address the points of difference with domestic workers’ applications.
Required Documents for Tourist Visas
- Passport: Valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay, with at least two blank pages.
- Visa Application Form: Completed and signed.
- Photographs: Typically two recent passport-sized photos.
- Travel Itinerary: Including flight reservations and accommodation bookings.
- Travel Insurance: Covering medical emergencies and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements, payslips, or proof of sponsorship showing sufficient funds for her stay.
- Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations or an invitation letter from a host in the Schengen country.
- Proof of Employment: Letter from employer, payslips.
- Cover Letter: Explaining the purpose of your visit, itinerary, and duration of stay.
- Previous Schengen Visas: If applicable, provide copies of any previous visas.
Additional Documents for Domestic Workers’ Visas
- Employment Contract: A contract between the employer and the domestic worker, detailing duties, salary, working hours, and employment conditions.
- Employer’s Letter: A letter from the employer confirming employment, purpose of travel, and commitment to cover travel and living expenses.
- Proof of Employer’s Status: Proof that the employer is legally residing or traveling to the Schengen Area (e.g., copy of the employer’s passport, visa, or residence permit).
- Accommodation Proof: Details of where the domestic worker will be staying (typically the same as the employer).
Schedule an Appointment for Spanish Visa for Nannies
Making an appointment may take significant time. Booking for appointments in the UAE is done through BLS. https://uae.blsspainvisa.com/
You will need to create an account and book for the visa you intend to apply for. We have received feedback that link do not work. Sometimes indeed the system gives technical error, as such is strongly recommended to have an early start.
Appointments might need to be scheduled several weeks in advance.
Appointment Date
On the date of the appointment to apply for a Spanish visa for your nanny you will need to:
- Bring all the required documents.
- Be prepared to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
- Pay the visa fee, which is generally around €80, but fees can vary depending on nationality and other factors.
On the date of the appointment additional data or documents might be asked or to attend an additional interview.
After the Appointment
Processing times vary but usually take about 15 days. It could take longer during peak travel seasons or for specific nationalities. In the UAE if the visa is approved it will be couriered to the selected address. When rejected applicants will need to newly visit the BLS offices to collect their original passports.
Recommendations to obtain a Spanish Visa for Nannies
Begin the application process at least a few months before your planned trip. Also, each Schengen country might have slightly different requirements or procedures, so check the specific requirements of the country you are applying to. This publication is focused on spanish families but it may be of help to other applicants applying to other European countries, as a start.
Lastly it is very important to ensure that documents are easy to navigate through. They should be organized, complete, and genuine to avoid delays or rejections.
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We hope this publication will help you process your nanny’s visa to go to Spain and remain available for any questions regarding this post of general application.
For more information published in English you can visit all our publications at this link as well as the videos in English of our Partner Maria Rubert.
*The information on this page is not intended to be legal advice. This article is intended to provide an initial introduction to the processing of nanny’s visa to go to Spain.